Applying weird decals to frame?

Boyd Speerschneider said:

Hello,

I'm trying to apply some decals to a frame of mine, but run into a confusing problem. The decals
for the down tube are factory decals, but they appear to be reversed; the side that *should* be
sticky is facing up, while the other side is attached to the paper backing. I'm not sure how to
apply them. I've only got one set, so I don't want to ruin them. There is an outline for the logo
on the opposite side of the backing. So, I assume they are either rub-on decals or they are applied
with the use of some kind of solvent.

They are Fuji decals for a Team frame.

Help please!!!

Thanks in advance,

- Boyd S

They are water transfer decals ... like the ones that used to come in plastic model kits... and are
still used in many industries

clean and dry the surface of the bike ...

in a bowl/tray of luke warm water wet the entire decal and place
the decal paper side down in the water. When the paper has all
soaked through (you should be able to tell by the colour) lift it
out and carefully place it on the frame... peel back the paper.

these are pretty fragile and are often clear coated ...

In article <[email hidden]>,

Boyd Speerschneider said:

The decals for the down tube are factory decals, but they appear to be reversed; the side that
*should* be sticky is facing up, while the other side is attached to the paper backing

it's like a window sticker...they go on the *inside* of the frame.

________________________________

Remove S.P.A.M in email adddress Climb <at> mac <dot> com
________________________________

If I read this right, as the decals sit on the paper, they read "forwards'"?

If so, they are applied the same way as the ones that come with plastic model kits. Soak them in
water until they can be slid around on the paper with your fingers, then position the paper on the
spot of the frame wher you want it and slide the paper out from under the decal as you apply it to
the frame.

Smooth out any bubbles, and after it dries, apply a clear coat of paint over the decal. Otherwise it
will fall off when you wash the bike (or ride in the rain).

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

[email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"😉 wrote in news:29303-
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If I read this right, as the decals sit on the paper, they read "forwards'"?

If so, they are applied the same way as the ones that come with plastic model kits. Soak them in
water until they can be slid around on the paper with your fingers, then position the paper on the
spot of the frame wher you want it and slide the paper out from under the decal as you apply it to
the frame.

Smooth out any bubbles, and after it dries, apply a clear coat of paint over the decal. Otherwise
it will fall off when you wash the bike (or ride in the rain).

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

Nope. As the decals sit on the paper they read reversed ie., as if viewed in a mirror or
from the back.

Boyd Speerschneider said:

[email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"😉 wrote

Quoted message said:

If I read this right, as the decals sit on the paper, they read "forwards'"?

As the decals sit on the paper they read reversed ie., as if viewed in a mirror or from the back.

Bike decals are VERY different from those you apply to plastic models
- they're basically paint with some sort of glue backing.

They should read "right" as you look THROUGH the paper (sounds like what you're describing).

If so, you mount them as follows:

1) THOROUGHLY clean the area with a non-oily solvent
2) Clean the solvent from the frame (maybe alcohol)
3) Peel the paper backing from the decal
4) VERY carefully position the decal
5) SLOWLY use your finger to press the decal down (try to keep any air from getting under
the decal). You'll see the portions of the decal that are adhering to the frame by the
"color change".
6) Once the decal is totally down, rub the backing briskly with a clean, dry rag (careful - you
could shift it, which would ruin it). The idea here is to slowly build up some heat on the decal
which will help it release from the backing better.
7) Use a credit card or similar "semi-hard, semi-sharp" edge to lightly scrape over the paper
backing. You'll see the decal "release" from the paper.
8) CAREFULLY peel up the backing, stopping and repeating step 6 if it starts to pull up the decal
(it's not hard to stick down a decal that starts to tear if you don't twist it).
9) Be careful with the new decals for a couple days - they take that long to fully adhere to the
frame, and will be soft until they are cured.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

Mark Hickey <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Bike decals are VERY different from those you apply to plastic models
- they're basically paint with some sort of glue backing.

They should read "right" as you look THROUGH the paper (sounds like what you're describing).

If so, you mount them as follows:

1) THOROUGHLY clean the area with a non-oily solvent
2) Clean the solvent from the frame (maybe alcohol)
3) Peel the paper backing from the decal
4) VERY carefully position the decal
5) SLOWLY use your finger to press the decal down (try to keep any air from getting under the
decal). You'll see the portions of the decal that are adhering to the frame by the "color
change".
6) Once the decal is totally down, rub the backing briskly with a clean, dry rag (careful - you
could shift it, which would ruin it). The idea here is to slowly build up some heat on the
decal which will help it release from the backing better.
7) Use a credit card or similar "semi-hard, semi-sharp" edge to lightly scrape over the paper
backing. You'll see the decal "release" from the paper.
8) CAREFULLY peel up the backing, stopping and repeating step 6 if it starts to pull up the decal
(it's not hard to stick down a decal that starts to tear if you don't twist it).
9) Be careful with the new decals for a couple days - they take that long to fully adhere to the
frame, and will be soft until they are cured.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

I'm confused. Do I remove the paper backing in step 3 or step 8?

Boyd Speerschneider said:

I'm confused. Do I remove the paper backing in step 3 or step 8?

There should be paper on both sides of the decal when you start. You remove it from the side that's
going to be against the bike first, and from the "top side" second.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

Mark Hickey <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Boyd Speerschneider said:

I'm confused. Do I remove the paper backing in step 3 or step 8?

There should be paper on both sides of the decal when you start. You remove it from the side
that's going to be against the bike first, and from the "top side" second.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

There is paper on only one side, the "top side". Maybe this isn't the kind of decal you think it is.

Boyd Speerschneider said:

Hello,

I'm trying to apply some decals to a frame of mine, but run into a confusing problem. The decals
for the down tube are factory decals, but they appear to be reversed; the side that *should* be
sticky is facing up, while the other side is attached to the paper backing. I'm not sure how to
apply them. I've only got one set, so I don't want to ruin them. There is an outline for the logo
on the opposite side of the backing. So, I assume they are either rub-on decals or they are applied
with the use of some kind of solvent.

They are Fuji decals for a Team frame.

I've applied many types of decals/transfers in many applications and a little more information would
be helpful. While looking at the sticky side is the image reversed (mirrored)? If so I'm guessing
they are indeed the rub-on type.

If this is the case, after thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the area position the transfer sticky
side down and burnish the backing paper over the transfer with something smooth. On bike tubing I
like to use the back of a teaspoon's bowl. Once burnished, CAREFULLY peel off the backing paper. If
the transfer starts to lift with the paper, burnish some more.

A trick I learned years ago with Letraset transfers is to follow up by burnishing the applied
transfer with a wax protectant. Letraset kits come with a heavy wax coated paper for this purpose,
but on bikes I've just used regular kitchen wax paper. I'm not all that certain it helps but it
makes me feel better. :-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

Boyd Speerschneider said:

Mark Hickey <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Boyd Speerschneider said:

I'm confused. Do I remove the paper backing in step 3 or step 8?

There should be paper on both sides of the decal when you start. You remove it from the side
that's going to be against the bike first, and from the "top side" second.

Quoted message said:

There is paper on only one side, the "top side". Maybe this isn't the kind of decal you
think it is.

Or maybe the paper has been prematurely removed from the "bottom side"?

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

Mark Hickey <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Or maybe the paper has been prematurely removed from the "bottom side"?

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

In any case, thanks for your help.

- Boyd